“But I can’t wait for next season, I can’t wait for Jan. 19 when we get
together (for preseason). We’re already working on the squad for next year. So
it’s an exciting time. The type of football we played this year with the players
that we’ve got in is nowhere near what I want to play.”

Mariner, who took over for Aron Winter in June, was asked after the game if
he had any concerns about his future.

“Not one bit, my future’s great,” he said before leaving the news
conference.

Montreal’s winless run now stands at five after its third straight draw. It
is 0-2-3 since a 3-0 victory over D.C. United on Aug. 25.

“We had great chances at the beginning of the game and great chances at the
end of the game,” Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier said.

The Impact (12-15-6) controlled most of the play Saturday but could not
convert that edge into goals. Marco Di Vaio had two strong chances in stoppage
time but his close-range shot hit a defender before a volley bounced high over
the Toronto goal.

“Because of his quality, I thought it was going to be curtains for us,”
Mariner said of Di Vaio’s volley. “But we got a little bit of luck.”

Toronto FC (5-20-8) played its first game since it announced two days ago it
was reducing season ticket prices to match those of its 2007 expansion campaign,
when the team went 6-17-7.

The news from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment did not placate some fans.
One sign in the supporters’ section read “MLSE are crooks.” The game drew an
announced crowd of 16,151, which thinned considerably after grey clouds gave way
to rain during the first half.

Assistant coach Mike Sorber was in charge of the Impact with coach Jesse
Marsch serving a suspension for being ejected in Houston.

Montreal had a chance to go ahead in the 34th minute but Davey Arnaud’s shot
was cleared by a defender and Bernier’s attempt went wide on the ensuing corner.